Krishna Kanta's Will (Chatterjee, Knight)/Part 1/Chapter 22
CHAPTER XXII.
Now the pain that burned in Bhramar, the same pain tormented Rohini. Since the report was about, how should it fail to reach Rohini? She heard that it was said in the village that Gobind Lâl was her slave—that he had given her jewels to the value of seven thousand. Whence the rumour came Rohini did not hear, nor had she any indication who had set it about. She at once determined that Bhramar must have done so, else why did Rohini's body burn so much? She thought, "Bhramar has burned me severely. The other day I was charged with being a thief, now there is this charge. I will not stay longer in this country; but before I go I will give her a burning in her very bones."
We already know that there was nothing too difficult for Rohini to accomplish. From some neighbour in the village she borrowed a Benares sari and a set of gilt jewels. When evening fell, she wrapped these things in a parcel and took them with her to the women's apartments in the Râi's house. Into the room where Bhramar was lying in solitude on the ground, now weeping, now staunching her tears and gazing up at the ceiling, thither went Rohini and sat down, placing her bundle beside her. Bhramar was amazed. At the sight of Rohini her whole body burned as though she were poisoned. Unable to endure it, she said—
"You went the other night to the Thâkur's room to steal; have you come here now for the same purpose?"
Rohini thought, "I have come to shave your head" (i.e., serve you out). Aloud she said, "Now I have no further need to steal, I no longer beg for money. By the Mejo Bâbu's favour I have no further difficulty about food and clothes, but it is not quite as much as people say."
Bhramar. "Be off from here."
Paying no heed to that direction, Rohini repeated, "It is not as much as people say. They say I have received seven thousand rupees. In fact it is altogether three thousand in jewels and this sâri. I have come to show them to you. Why should they say seven thousand?"
Thus saying, Rohini opened the parcel and displayed the Benares sâri and the gilt ornaments. With a kick Bhramar scattered the things in every direction.
Rohini said, "One should not tread on gold" (i.e., spurn it); and quietly picked up each article and wrapped them again in a bundle. In the same noiseless way she departed with her parcel.
I am very sorry about one thing. Bhramar had given Khirodâ a beating, but not a single slap to Rohini; this much grieves me. Had any of my lady readers been present, I have no doubt they would have struck Rohini with their own hands. I honour the rule never to strike a woman; but not so much the command not to strike an ogress or a demon. Yet I can explain how it was that Bhramar did not strike Rohini. Bhramar was fond of Khirodâ, so did not hesitate to beat her. She was not fond of Rohini, and would not raise a hand to strike her. When children quarrel the mother corrects her own child, not the child of some one else.